Overview

3 Day Northern Highlights New Zealand Independent Coach Map A quick 3-day trip through the North Island including Waitomo Caves and Rotorua tours, beautiful Lake Taupo and the Desert Road. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of New Zealand's Maori heritage, including a traditional hangi and concert.

Accommodation

4 Star Hotels
We have a wide range of 4 star hotel properties. Most hotels in this category generally have swimming pools, fitness gyms, a choice of restaurants, and are usually a little closer to town centres or occupy premium locations. Room types may include standard, deluxe, superior, mountain view, lake view, suites, etc. Many also include 2 and 3 bedroom suites which can offer great value for larger groups.

3 Star Hotels
All our 3 star hotels have restaurant facilities. Meals can be included in your package, if required. Please note that smaller destinations such as Coromandel, Kaikoura, Akaroa, etc. hotels don't usually feature this as an accommodation option.

Motels
Motel accommodations are self-contained facilities. At minimum, a studio unit includes cooking utensils, a hot plate and/or a microwave, toaster, kettle, and crockery and cutlery. Others will include a full kitchen and can include saunas, spas, and swimming pools and sometimes a full breakfast service. Room types include stuido, 2-bedroom, or family units. Our motels are of a very high standard and are generally owned and operated by locals who would love to share their genuine interest in their region with you.

Looking for a fully escorted coach tour? Check out our guided departures here!

Details

North Island

Independent Coach Tours, using nationwide bus services, daily departures

Route: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua - Wellington

Start: Auckland

Finish: Wellington

Includes:

Accommodation for 2 nights
All coach tour transport as specified in this tour package
All breakfasts (4-star accommodation only)
Entrance to Rainbow Springs
Discover Rotorua Morning sights tour
Agrodome Show and Farm Tour
Tamaki Maori Village show and dinner
Te Puia Maori Arts & Crafts
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Pricing:

Cost per person (Twin share)

4-Star Accommodation: from NZ$1,339

Prices quoted are per person and are room only. Prices do not include meals. Please contact us for Self-Drive option prices.

Pricing: Twin share price is based on 2 people traveling together and sharing one room. Single room and triple share prices are available upon request.

*Please Note*

Prices are estimates only, and are subject to availability and exchange rates when booking, seasonal or holiday price surcharges (such as Christmas/New Year and Easter); as well as special events that may be on. Please forward a request and we will be happy to forward a quote.

Payment

Deposit: 20% of the package cost or NZ$250 per person (whichever is the greater) at time of booking
Full Payment: 60 Days before travel
Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full no more than 6 days after booking

Cancellation Charges

Cancellation Fees up to 100% can apply after booking. Extra deposits or full payment may be requested to cover these charges prior to booking

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Overview

Accommodation

Looking for a fully escorted coach tour? Check out our guided departures here!

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Maori Greeting at Tamaki Village, Rotorua

Cooking a Hangi Meal at Tamaki Village, Rotorua

Hangi Meal at Tamaki Village, Rotorua

Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia, Rotorua

Geothermal Mud, Rotorua

Agrodome Farm Show, Rotorua

Kiwi Chick at Rainbow Springs, Rotorua

Trout at Rainbow Springs, Rotorua

Tongariro National Park

Wellington

Itinerary

Open All

Day 1Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

You will need at least a night in Auckland before this your.

Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour
On this tour, you will be picked up from the hotel in a comfortable mini-bus and driven through the stunning Waikato countryside on a fully guided journey to Waitomo Caves. During the journey to Waitomo, you will encounter New Zealand's longest river, beautiful mountains, and see several different farm animals along the way.

Once in Waitomo, you will explore the ancient and amazing caves, with its many different cave formations including Stalactites, Stalagmites, and Lime Columns, before descending even further underground for your glowworm experience. Board your glowworm boat for a cruise on the grotto river with thousands of glowworms - which are unique to New Zealand - glittering above your head. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must-see for any traveller.

Continue your adventure with another fully guided journey south to Rotorua, with many more attractions to see along the way, including hydro dams, rivers, and lots more animals. Once in Rotorua, you will be guided past many of its famous and historical sites, including Lake Rotorua, The Government Gardens, Blue Baths, Thermal Springs, and Polynesian Spa, before dropping you at your accommodation or a central Rotorua location.

Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, Tamaki Māori Village presents TE PĀ TŪ. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.

Day 2Explore Rotorua

Rotorua Duck Tours City & Lakes Tour

You haven't seen Rotorua until you've seen it from a Duck. Discover Rotorua in the most unique way possible with the City and Lakes Tour. This unique sightseeing adventure takes place on land and water, on-board a WWII amphibious Duck. Unlike any other tour in Rotorua, the duck tour is the best way to see the city and experience the beauty of the surrounding lake district all at once.

Your tour begins right in the heart of the city where you will discover the sights and sounds, and learn all about the rich history and diversity that makes Rotorua such a unique destination. With your conDUCKtor, you will venture out of town to the spectacular lakes district where you will see magnificent views of Mt Tarawera and splashdown into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka.

Rotorua afternoon at leisure

This afternoon is completely at your leisure to explore one of New Zealand most unique towns. Take a stroll along the beautiful lakefront, take a guided tour at either Wai-O-Tapu or Waimangu Volcanic Valley and experience the geothermal features Rotorua has to offer. Also not to miss is the Rotorua Duck Tour around the city and lakes providing you with history and a thrill ride.

You might also like to take a helicopter ride to view the Volcanic Peaks of Mount Tarawera at 3680 feet or cycle the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest.

You could also travel on the paddle boat, 'Lakeland Queen' on Lake Rotorua. Alternatively, you might want to try something more adventurous like zipping through a native forest with Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Day 3Rotorua - Wellington

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to your coach station.

Rotorua to Wellington

Your coach journey from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupō and New Zealand's largest lake. The lake itself is actually a gigantic volcanic caldera formed during one of the worlds largest ever eruptions. Skirting Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand's three world heritage sites and clouds permitting you can see the 2,500 metre peak of the still volcanically active Mt. Ruapehu. You might recognise the symmetrical shape of Mt. Ngauruhoe as this was used as the scenery of Mt. Doom in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Heading south you pass through the rural towns of Taihape, Mangaweka and Bulls before arriving on the Kapiti Coast, with its coastal seaside towns of Paraparaumu, Paekakariki and Plimmerton. The Kapiti Coast leads into Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Wellington sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre), so exploring on foot is relatively easy. From your city centre accommodation you can easily stroll the cafes and restaurants around Courtenay Place and explore New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, which is also close by.

You will need at least a night in Welilngton after this your.